Krautnudeln (Noodles with Caramelized Cababge)
Noodles, Spätzle, Swabian, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Noodles with Caramelized Cabbage (‘Krautnudeln’)

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Noodles with caramelized cabbage is a traditional dish that is popular all around Southern Germany. The secret lies in the deep caramelized flavor of the cabbage. Notice how brown it is. That is not because I added dark vinegar or red wine. That’s the caramelization from frying the cabbage.

Caramelized cabbage is not only popular in combination with noodles. The noodles in this dish can be replaced with spätzle. That is the way caramelized cabbage is most often served within Swabia.

So why do I serve this caramelized cabbage with noodles? First, noodles and cabbage are delicious together. And second, I just posted a recipe for Swabian egg noodles made from spelt flour last week. What a great way to use them!

Things to look out for when preparing noodles with caramelized cabbage

Caramelized cabbage doesn’t take much skill to prepare but you need to be patient when frying the cabbage with a few pinches of sugar. Cabbage is watery. It will leak water that needs to be evaporated off before the cabbage can brown and caramelize. Blonde cabbage is a no-go in this dish.

Raw cabbage before caramelization
Caramelized cabbage for noodles with caramelized cabbage

I like to deglaze the cabbage with white wine to balance its sweetness. For seasoning my cabbage, I use caraway seeds and a bay leaf. Caraway seeds have an anise-like flavor and make the cabbage easier to digest. If you want to add any other spices, no one is going to stop you. I have a feeling that cumin would also work well in caramelized cabbage.

Braising the cabbage in white wine

If you don’t want to prepare Swabian egg noodles or spätzle then you can also serve the caramelized cabbage with Italian noodles. Besides that, sausage goes great with cabbage.

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